Beacon-Based Object Identification for Retail Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic device interactions limit the ability to search for, share, and experience objects beyond information-based searches, as they primarily rely on keyword associations, restricting innovative ways to engage with real-world objects.
Innovation Solution
A system and process that provides object identifiers to users based on their location and anticipated interest, using beacons and remote computing resources to associate user profiles with object information, enabling notifications and presentations on wearable and portable devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If keyword-based search is used to find objects, then information retrieval is simplified, but the ability to discover and interact with objects in new ways is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces beacons as intermediary devices that transmit unique identifiers to portable devices. This mediator enables automatic object identification and discovery without requiring manual keyword searches, thus maintaining ease of operation while enabling new interaction methods through automatic notifications and location-based services
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual keyword-based search mechanism with an automated beacon-based identification system. The portable device automatically detects beacons and retrieves object information without user-initiated searches, substituting the mechanical search process with automated electromagnetic signal detection and processing
2Adaptability or versatility
If location-based object identification is implemented, then object discovery capability is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the object identification system into separate functional components: beacons that transmit identifiers, portable devices that detect and process signals, and remote computing resources that store and retrieve object information. This segmentation allows each component to remain relatively simple while the overall system provides enhanced object discovery capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses beacons as simple intermediary devices that only transmit unique identifiers without containing complex processing logic. The portable device acts as another intermediary, detecting beacon signals and managing communication with remote servers, thereby distributing complexity across multiple components rather than concentrating it in one device
Data Source
AI summary
This application describes a system and process for providing object identifiers relating to real world objects to users based on the location of the user and the anticipated interested of the user in an object within a defined distance of the user. For example, if the user is within a retail store, a portable device associated with the user may detect or receive a beacon transmitted from a location within the retail store and object identifiers representative of objects within the store may be generated and provided to the user. In some implementations, only object identifier representative of items determined to be of likely interest to the user may be provided for presentation to the user.